Nowadays, scams and frauds are not limited to messages and calls only. Many customers have already questioned the legitimacy of DealDash, the online shopping and auction site, and this time, AliExpress, a Chinese-based online retail service, is in the witness box.
The question “Is AliExpress legit?” is catching fire on the internet and many users sharing their reviews about it.
So, why is this a concern, and can you still trust AliExpress? Let us address this most anticipated question here.
Is AliExpress Safe to Buy From?
Is AliExpress a scam? Or is AliExpress real? Let’s end this debate with a positive response!
AliExpress is a legit, reliable, and safe site for online shopping. However, as with any other platform, you should exercise caution because the company does not manufacture or sell the products. It is just providing a platform to third-party sellers.
So, we can say that AliExpress is a safe site only if you can differentiate between legitimate producers. This can be done by going through the ratings and reviews carefully.
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Why is AliExpress a Good Site for Safe Shopping?
AliExpress has introduced some measures to make your shopping experience better and safer. Here are the security features that make AliExpress legit:
Buyer Protection for Undelivered Goods
All the qualified listings on the platform hold a Buyer Protection badge that ensures the order will arrive at the provided delivery address within the mentioned period. And if the delivery is not made, you can easily claim a refund. The whole amount will be credited to your account within 15 working days.
However, a claim can be made only after the end of the buyer protection period, which is generally 75 days.
Money-back Guarantee for Defective Items
If the received product is defective, unsatisfactory, or fake, you are free to file a dispute which will be directly sent to the seller. Then you and the seller will try to work out some agreeable terms, such as a replacement, refund, or voucher. If both of you can’t reach a center point within 15 days, AliExpress will interrupt and decide the right course of action.
Payment Information Security
While paying for shopping items through a credit or debit card, only AliExpress will be able to see the details. No third-party sellers will have access to it.
Apart from this, you can also open an AliPay account with your credit or debit card and then make direct payments.
All these points show how reliable is AliExpress. If you are not brand-conscious, the platform can be a perfect marketplace for you to shop at decent prices.
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What are Some Red Flags on AliExpress?
While AliExpress is considered a safe platform, it is not perfect, especially if you are someone who is not aware of online scams similar to Zelle Scams Facebook Marketplace. If you do not react quickly enough, you could fall into these traps:
Counterfeit Products
AliExpress is counted among the top global sources of counterfeit products in a list released by the US Trade Representative. This means there is a high risk of receiving fake items from unauthorized sellers on this platform.
As a consumer, you should be aware and know how can you deal with such frauds. You can consider the points given further to avoid counterfeit goods.
Listing Tricks
This is one of the most common tricks used by sellers to attract customers by displaying shady listings for their products. AliExpress allows them to add variations to the pricing, such as, for the sizes of clothes. But some trick this thing and create a listing with a real product and the pricing of an optional accessory.
However, the original cost will be displayed when you select the product, but sometimes you may ignore it and get trapped in their tricks. As the seller isn’t technically inaccurate, you can’t claim a money-back. That’s why you should attentively check the complete description and price of the item.
Brushing Scam
Under the brushing technique, the supplier creates a fake account with your name or hacks your existing account to order their products and give high ratings & reviews to them. This positive feedback increases their goodwill and trustworthiness among other customers.
You must be thinking, what’s wrong with this if you are getting free products without ordering them? But in reality, it shows how easily someone can steal your information and payment details. Hence, you should not take this scam lightly.
Additionally, minimum order quantity (MOQ) set by some retailers, below-par product photography, and keyword-stuffed product titles & descriptions are some issues that can be noticed easily.
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How to Safely Shop on AliExpress?
If you are a shopaholic, AliExpress can be the best platform for you with several great deals and offers. But you have to be aware of the above-mentioned red flags for safe shopping. Some points that should be remembered include the following:
- Find a Trustworthy Seller
The first thing you should look for is AliExpress trustworthy sellers to make your shopping experience satisfactory. Check for the ratings and reviews of the seller, the number of orders shipped, and other necessary points like shipment timing, packaging, and so on.
- Check Returns and Replacement Policies
While selecting an item, look for its returns and replacement policies to avoid any future uncertainty. In such a case, if you get a wrong or defaulted order, you can easily return it from the site to get your money back or replace it with a new product.
- Check Before Confirming the Delivery
Never rush at this step of ordering something from AliExpress. Make sure the product, its quantity, pricing, shipping costs, and other things are the same as you selected.
- Avoid Popular Brand Deals
Fake items are a major concern on this platform. Many fake copies of the branded items are available here for a couple of bucks. These products are listed with huge discounts to catch your attention so that you buy them to grab the deal without thinking a lot.
- Read the Listing Carefully
Many times it happens when an item is presented at a lower price on the display, but when you tap on it, the prices go up. This misleading pricing can be problematic while shopping on the site.
AliExpress also offers a buyer protection program to reduce fraud and scams and make you feel safe while shopping from the site. This program works under the US Consumer Law set by the government. This increases your confidence when making purchases online.
Final Words
“Is AliExpress legit and safe, or is it just a new hub of scams?” We hope this doubt is no longer troubling you, as the platform is a real and trusted site. But only if you are Cyber Savvy enough to protect your personal information.
If you are still trying to decide whether is AliExpress safe to buy from or not, then you can simply switch to other reliable shopping platforms like Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and others.
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FAQs
Ans: AliExpress is a China-based retail e-commerce marketplace owned by Alibaba Group and ships worldwide. It allows third-party suppliers to sell their products here.
Ans: No, AliExpress itself is not a scam however, some retailers have been accused of sending counterfeit or unsatisfactory goods.
Ans: Yes, AliExpress has a reliable payment gateway, but it is advised not to save your card details with the site for safety concerns.
Ans: The platform has numerous wholesalers who buy the products in bulk, making it easier for them to sell at low prices.
Ans: Yes, it is a legit website, but comparatively considered to be less reliable than Amazon.
- Help Center, AliExpress
- How to shop at AliExpress without getting scammed? USA TODAY Reviewed